All right, I've been a SAHM for 10 years. Before that I was a computer programmer, but the technology I used is primarily obsolete. I've looked into doing voice over work, and I applied for a job as a cashier at Best Buy. I've also contemplated writing a novel.

So, what should I do with myself?

In a perfect world, I would work M-F from 10-4, with either time off or the ability to work from home when my kids are off from school.

Tell me what to do. I would be happy to do any sort of training, and am open to anything, as long as it doesn't involve blood or cleaning houses (because I could be cleaning my own right now, but I'm not).

What are your hobbies/interests? If you're into fitness, maybe you can work front desk or childcare at your local YMCA or gym. If you're into crafts, maybe you can apply at Michael's or Joann's. If you're involved in your religious community, maybe you can try to get a job at your place of worship.

Faith, 3Aish redhead
Mama to two wild superheroes and a curly-headed baby boy

i don't know if these jobs are gimics or not or what the average earnings are, but you could research them: data entry and medical transcription from home. it might give you a constant stream of work, while allowing you to be at home on those days when your kids are home on school break.

you could also reintroduce yourself to the workforce by signing up with a temp agency.

Do you have a Starbucks near you? I worked there for a few years during my undergrad, my husband also worked there for a few years. It was a great company to work for. They were very flexible with hours and have great perks.

When we worked there we knew quite a few SAHM moms that would work opening shifts during the week while their children were at school.

What Pixie said. And I'd look into which industries are doing well in this economy and see what's available in those. No sense applying to a bank, for example...

How do you get into voiceovers?

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I'm not really sure. There is a company, Voices For All, that can set you up with everything, all you need is the recording devices in your home. I just don't have the self-confidence to know if the investment would be worth it.

Great Lakes Higher Education has an office in Minneapolis, I think. I believe they still do programming in cobol, although they do a lot in web apps now. They also hire year round for people to staff phones for default prevention (you call people up about paying their student loans, it's not fun, but what they need is introverts who are good at listening and then developing solutions). They also hire pretty often for marketing.

The reason I mention GLHEC is that they have a solid reputation of hiring and promoting women in their workforce (although when I look at their top management, it's the typical assortment of white men).

Have you looked at LTE positions at the university? Those sometimes lead to permanent employment and often the hours are flexible.

How much do jobs like Starbucks or Target pay? I think I asked too much at Best Buy, which is why I never got a call, but it has been so long since I had a job, I don't even know the market.

Originally Posted by Poodlehead

My husband worked at Best Buy for a short time, as a cashier. He didn't like it, he was very bored there. This was over 4 years ago.. but the cashiers each have their own "lane" so you have no one to talk to other than customers, and when it's slow then there's no one.

Starbucks pay depends on the market where you live. I know when I worked for them five or so years ago pay was $2-3 dollars above minimum wage plus tips. When I started there in 2001 pay range was from $6.50 - $8.50/hr. then tips and of course all the coffee you could drink 30 min before, during, and 30 min after a shift. A pound of coffee (or a box of tea) a week.. and employee discount on all merchandise. They also had stock options and health insurance if you worked at least 20 hours/week.

If you're thinking about retail, I have heard great things about Trader Joe's and Costco in terms of pay and benefits. I'd also suggest that if you want to get into retail that you choose someplace you really enjoy shopping. I always think it'd be fun to work at Borders or Barnes and Noble or even better, a small independent bookstore. Is there a store you love that you'd really benefit by having insider knowledge and a discount?

I know you enjoy volunteering at your childrens' school, so I assume you like working with children. There are lots of options with kids: babysitter, pre-school aide, instructor for a fun extracurricular activity (like Little Gym or baby music classes, etc.), kids' party planner, etc.

If you're thinking about retail, I have heard great things about Trader Joe's and Costco in terms of pay and benefits. I'd also suggest that if you want to get into retail that you choose someplace you really enjoy shopping. I always think it'd be fun to work at Borders or Barnes and Noble or even better, a small independent bookstore. Is there a store you love that you'd really benefit by having insider knowledge and a discount?

I know you enjoy volunteering at your childrens' school, so I assume you like working with children. There are lots of options with kids: babysitter, pre-school aide, instructor for a fun extracurricular activity (like Little Gym or baby music classes, etc.), kids' party planner, etc.

Originally Posted by badgercurls

It's funny, I do do a lot of volunteering at school, but it's mostly administrative volunteering, or overseeing. I don't interact with the kids much, because it actually is not my strong suit!

While I like your other suggestions, one of the reasons I picked Best Buy was because I know nothing about electronics, so I thought it would always stay interesting. I could get a job at Macy's or something, but I'm afraid it will get boring fast.

You could look for part-time contracting gigs, doing some low end programming. Like, access or excel. If you can program...you can figure these things out in a hurry. I literally learned access inside and out one morning b/w the hours of 2am and 6am...(I was in grad school and needed it for a project.)

You could also take a few classes at a community college to update your skills. Logic that you used for programming before is still the logic that you need now. It actually helps because you know all about troubleshooting... youngsters today don't know anything about that. What do you mean it doesn't work?

Currently, using JC HCC, Too Shea, CK and CCSS, RR or LOOB or MOP-C.
CK is the one!!

We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names and each is a different color. But they all have to learn how to live in the same box. ~Anonymous